Become a Vet Tech | Vet Tech Schools Morehead City NC

How to Select a Vet Tech School near Morehead City North Carolina

Morehead City NC vet tech diagnosing puppy Realizing your lifelong dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet tech school near Morehead City NC could initially seem like a challenging task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a school that will deliver the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a veterinary technician. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting programs so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have identified some local colleges, they determine which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are significant considerations when assessing veterinary technician schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation need to be looked into also. The point is that there are questions you should be asking the vet technician programs you are looking at before you make an ultimate selection. We have provided several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the different responsibilities of veterinary technicians and the training alternatives offered.

The Job of a Vet Tech in Morehead City NC

cat with cone after surgery in Morehead City NC Among the initial decisions that you will need to make is if you plan to train as a vet assistant, technologist or technician. Part of your preference may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What technicians and assistants share in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are many tasks that they can carry out within the Morehead City NC veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work away from the standard vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and training requirements for each specialization.

Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the performance of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and normally earn a 2 year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more involved duties, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet Technologists are comparable to vet technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.

Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. A number may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in Morehead City NC laboratories or research facilities also.

Vet Tech Online Schools Offered in Morehead City

student attending online vet tech school in Morehead City NC An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian college is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Morehead City NC veterinarian clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, for example for travel and study materials, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting agency. With the online courses and the practical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent fashion, an online vet tech school may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Morehead City NC Veterinary Technician Colleges

Questions to ask Morehead City NC vet tech schools At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian credential that you wish to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a school on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in the Morehead City NC area as well as across the USA, you should ask some relevant questions in order to fine tune your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many potential students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, which include accreditation and internship programs. And obviously you want to select a program that offers the specialty and degree that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are addressed in the checklist of questions that you need to ask the veterinary technician colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s imperative that you confirm that the veterinary technician program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough review process that confirms you will get a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not obtainable for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is in many cases a prerequisite for employment for many Morehead City NC area veterinary practices and hospitals.

What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you select must have an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the North Carolina school licensing department if there have been any complaints or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, phone some Morehead City NC veterinary clinics that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend some schools not on your list.

Are Internships Offered? The best way to get practical hands on training as a vet tech is to work in a professional environment. Ask if the schools you are considering have internship programs set up with Morehead City NC veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it by way of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable as far as the practical training, but an internship may also help develop connections in the local veterinarian community and assist in the search for employment after graduation.

Is Job Assistance Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a vet tech program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are considering. A low rate might suggest that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the curriculum or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, check that the colleges have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may signify that the college has an outstanding reputation within the Morehead City NC veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.

How Large are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you probably will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Morehead City NC schools you are considering what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.

Where is the School Located? Of course, we previously talked about location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to drive to your veterinary technician classes from your Morehead City NC home, you must make certain that the commuting time fits into your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the college is located close by or within a larger city. Also, if you do opt to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be higher tuition fees especially for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes could be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.

Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the vet programs you are exploring offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to accommodate your schedule. For instance, many students continue to work full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings near Morehead City NC. Others may only be able to go to class in the morning or in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you require are available before enrolling. Also, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to work, sickness or family responsibilities. You might discover that an online program is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your busy life.

Enrolling in a Vet Tech School near Morehead City NC?

If you have decided to attend a Veterinary Technician Program in the Morehead City North Carolina area, then you may find the following information about the location of your school campus interesting and informing.

Morehead City, North Carolina

Morehead City is a port town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census.[4] Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007. It forms part of the Crystal Coast.

By the early 1850s, a group of investors had been formed and incorporated a land development project known as the "Shepard Point Land Company" which purchased 600 acres (2.4 km2) of land on the eastern tip of the peninsula bordering the Newport River, known then as "Shepards Point", which is the present location of Morehead City. The Shepard Point Land Company's objective was to take advantage of the natural deep channel of Topsail Inlet, known today as the Beaufort Inlet, which splits Bogue Banks from Shackleford Banks and provides access to Morehead City, Beaufort, North Carolina, the Newport River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Shepard Point Land Company was established to construct a deepwater port to allow another access point for North Carolina timber products to relieve pressure at the port located in Wilmington. To make the port accessible to the interior of North Carolina, the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad line between Goldsboro and New Bern was completed on April 29, 1858.

North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead, for whom the city of Morehead City is named, was a principal member of the Shepard Point Land Company investment group. Fully operational rail service began in July 1858 connecting the town to points west, north and south.

Choose the Right Veterinary Technician College near Morehead City NC

Morehead City NC vet tech holding dog Choosing the right vet tech program is a critical first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Future students considering vet tech schools need to make their selection based on a number of key factors. Veterinary technicians and technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative duties and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential that you decide on a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This applies to vet tech online programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your options so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right college, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician in Morehead City NC.